“Let’s Grow Kids” public education campaign launched

Tiny bubbles and children’s voices filled the air at the
Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center in Burlington today as the statewide
campaign, Let’s Grow Kids, officially
launched. Business leaders, early childhood professionals, public officials and
many others attended the event, which also featured several hands-on activities
for children—who represent the very heart of the campaign.

“Giving our children a solid start in life is a value we all
share,” said Robyn Freedner-Maguire, campaign director for Let’s Grow Kids.
“These children will be our community leaders, our teachers, our doctors…we
want all Vermonters to understand how very important the earliest years of our
children’s lives are not only to their future, but to our state’s future as
well.”

Speakers at the event included Dr. Joseph Hagan, MD, FAAP, a
long-time Burlington pediatrician and chair of the Vermont Citizen’s Advisory Board (VCAB) for the Vermont
Agency of Human Services Department for Children and Families. Hagan spoke about the early
years of development and the importance of reading aloud to children.

“The years from birth to five are a time of rapid growth and
development, cognitively as well as socially and emotionally in our children,”
said Dr. Joseph Hagan, MD, FAAP. “Brains are built by the early experiences and
relationships a child has in these early years…the brain connections made
during this time lay the foundation for a lifetime.”

Research conducted by Hart Research Associates in December showed
that Vermonters are not aware of the significant development that occurs during
the first three years of life. About 80% of a child’s crucial brain development
happens before age three and 90% by age five.

“It’s a whole lot easier to prevent
problems than it is to fix them later,” added Dr. Hagan.

Tim Volk, co-chair of Building Bright Futures State Council, reported on data from the organization’s
April 2014 report, “How Are Vermont’s Young
Children?”.

"Only 32% of parents of
infants, toddlers, and young children age 0-5 reported their children received
developmental screenings in 2011-12," said Volk. “Thirty-two percent of third graders are reading below grade level.”
said Volk. “Thirty-two percent of third graders are reading below grade level.”

According to Volk,
recent Kindergarten
Readiness Surveys from the Agency of Education show 40-50% of Vermont's children
are assessed as unprepared for school in all 5 domains.

LouAnn Beninati, program specialist for Vermont Birth To
Three, talked about the importance of high quality early care. Beninati
reported that, in Vermont, 70% of parents with children under age 6 are in the
workforce, which translates to children spending as much as 40 hours a week or
more in care outside the home.

“Where, how and with whom they spend that time is extremely
important,” said Beninati. “We need to ensure that all children are spending
time in quality, nurturing environments—wherever they are.”

Mary Powell, CEO of Green Mountain Power Corporation, echoed
Beninati’s comments about the need to invest in the early years.

“Parents rely on childcare so they can come to work each day
and be productive and provide for their families,” said Powell. “The quality of
our future workforce depends upon giving our children a firm foundation for the
rest of their lives…babies matter to business.”

Freedner-Maguire wrapped up the event with a call to action
to attendees. “We need everyone working on this issue—parents and non-parents,
educators, business leaders, childcare providers, public officials—it takes all
of us to grow our kids. Please visit our website, join our campaign and find
out how you can help us spread the word about these important issues.”

Let’s Grow Kids, a statewide public education campaign, aims to raise
understanding of the importance of the earliest years in the lives of Vermont’s
children. Funded by a collaboration of private foundations, Let’s Grow Kids is
working with Vermont communities, organizations, businesses, and individuals to
create positive lasting change that will allow all of our children to succeed
in life. For more information, visit letsgrowkids.org.